Railroad passenger seat

ABSTRACT

A passenger seat having a walk-over seat back mounted for movement on a pair of rotatable shafts through a pair of of levers mounted on each end of the shafts. The levers contact each other at opposite seat positions to support the seat back. The pair of shafts include a torsion section at each end portion capable of undergoing plastic deformation upon a lock mechanism detecting predetermined deceleration forces. A lever and link element are operatively connected between the seat cushion frame to permit movement. The seat cushion is removable secured to the seat cushion frame.

[0001] This application claims benefit of priority date of provisionalapplication, Ser. No. 60/284,995 filed Apr. 19, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates in general to railcars and, in particular,to an improved railroad passenger seat.

[0004] 2. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Numerous designs for railcar passenger seats have been employedover the long history of railroads. A walkover seat is commonly used incurrent passenger car applications because the seat back position can bemoved to oppositely facing directions. Known walkover seats suffer fromseveral problems involving economy of design and manufacture, safety,maintenance and durability. From the safety standpoint, the presence ofan unrestrained or restrained seat in front of a passenger creates ahazard during rapid deceleration, such as during a catastrophicemergency. The unrestrained seat offers no protection and causes seriousinjuries when impacted by a passenger during deceleration. Restrainedseats, such as by means of latches and the like, form a rigid obstacle,which likewise causes injury to the passenger impacting the seat backduring deceleration. Attempts have been made in the prior art to absorbthe energy of impact by a passenger against a seat back, but a needexists in providing effective and economical means of protecting thepassenger during emergency situations.

[0006] In its opposing positions, the seat back of prior devices utilizelatches, stops and support brackets to retain the seat back. Suchretention elements are subject to unnecessary wear and require periodicadjustment. Further, the use of brackets and the like to retain the seatback upright does not provide optimum strength characteristics. The seatframes in the past have further used latches or locks to retain it in anoperable position. Such latches or locks are subject to stress, whichrequires repair or replacement. In moving the walkover seat back, thelatches can be noisy and are not passenger friendly. The design of seatcushion of prior walkover seats further do not have a frame and cushiondesign which maximizes the ease of installation by being easilyself-positioning. In addition, prior seat cushions do not optimizeprotection to the cushion by preventing damage from retention clips,vandalism, and normal everyday use. Therefore, it is desirable in theprior art to provide an improved passenger seat overcoming the foregoingand other problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is, therefore, an objective of the invention to provide animproved walkover sat for passenger railcars. The invention heretoprovides a seat design of superior strength with a low weight ratio andsmooth operative characteristics. The walkover seat of the applicationis easy to install and service. The cushion frame is designed to restdirectly on the seat frame in opposite positions to eliminate the needof latches or locks for retention. By resting on the seat frame, stresson the seat linkages is substantially reduced and a more lightweightlinkage assembly can be employed. Such support of the seat cushion framefurther provides a stable, quiet, and passenger friendly seat design andis self-positioning.

[0008] The seat back of the invention is mounted for movement on a pairof self-positioning levers on each side. In the opposite seat positions,the levers abut each other to retain the seat back in its uprightpositions. The abutting levers eliminate the need to use supportbrackets, stops and the like. The abutting levers further providegreater longevity of service, eliminate wear and do not require costlyadjustment. The levers also provide excellent strength when stressed toprovide a good strength to weight ratio.

[0009] The seat cushion of the invention is provided with a uniquebottom pan, which protects the seat cushion against damage frominstallation and use. The cushion pan allows the seat cushion to bedropped onto attachment elements for easy installation and has noexterior protrusions to damage other cushions during transport and use.

[0010] The invention herein further is provided with dual locks atopposite ends of the shafts carrying the walkover seat back levers. Thedual locks are mounted in end blocks, which also contain energydissipation shafts. The energy dissipation shafts cooperate with thelocks in the blocks to dissipate energy upon the locks restrainingrotation of the walkover shafts during extraordinary decelerationconditions of the railcar. The end blocks simplify the elasticcomponents and reduce associated costs and weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a passenger seat employingthe improvements of the invention;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of the seat back frameand linkage assembly of the passenger seat of the invention viewingoutward of the seat;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a partial side elevational view of seat back frame andlinkage assembly of the passenger seat of FIG. 2 showing the seat backin a first seating position;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the seat back frameand linkage assembly of FIG. 2 in an intermediate position;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of the sat back frameand linkage assembly of FIG. 2 in an opposite seating position from FIG.3;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a partial end perspective side view, with parts inphantom, of the locking block of the passenger seat of the inventionshowing the locking element in a locked configuration;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a partial top perspective view of the locking block andtorsion shaft of the invention showing the locking element in anunlocked seating position; and

[0018]FIG. 8 is a side perspective view, with parts exploded, of thecushion frame and cushion of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, there is illustrated the improvedwalkover seat of the invention, generally designated by referencenumeral 2. Although the seat 2 is described herein as a walkover seatfor passenger railroad cars, it is within the scope of the invention touse the teachings of the invention in any environment in which passengerseats are employed. As is conventional, the passenger walkover seat 2includes a horizontal seat cushion 4 and a walkover seat back 6supported on a seat frame 8, which rests on suitable opposed pedestals(not shown). The walkover feature of seat 2 allows the conductor orpassenger to move the seat back 6 to opposed positions relative to seat4 whereby the passengers face in opposite directions.

[0020] The walkover capability of passenger walkover seat 2 is bestshown in FIGS. 2-4. The seat walkover mechanism 12 is provided with apair of flat walkover levers 14 and 16. The walkover levers 14 and 16are interconnected at their upper ends 14 a and 16 a by a link 18pivotally attached to the lever ends by pins 19. A seat back framemember 20 is attached to the upper portion 18 a of link 18 by a suitabletechnique to attain walkover movement of seat back frame member 20 onthe levers 14 and 16 in conjunction with a pair of horizontal walkovertubes 22 and 24. The walkover tubes 22 and 24 are suitably journaled atboth ends on frame 8 and extend through the lower ends of levers 14 and16 in fixed relationship and under the seat cushion 4 from the aisleside to the window side of passenger seat 2. The opposed positions ofthe walkover levers 14 and 16 are shown in opposite positions of theseat back 6 in FIGS. 3 and 5. During walkover movement from the positionof FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 5, the walkover tubes 22 and 24 rotatein the same directions to facilitate movement of the entire seat back 6to the opposed position.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a locking block assembly 30 ismounted at each end of hollow walkover shafts 22 and 24 immediatelyinside of seat back frame levers 14 and 16. The locking block assembly30 includes a metal block 30 a having rear integral anchoring plate 32which is arranged to be secured to frame 8 at both sides by boltassemblies (not shown) through bolt holes 32 a. A front plate 34 (FIG.7) is also secured to block 30 a by bolts 36 to mount the linkageassembly to be described. The block 30 a has a cavity 38 to permit solidend extensions 40 a, 40 b to be secured to the ends of walkover tubes 22and 24 and extend through levers 14 and 16 in fixed securement by aconventional technique. The inner ends 42 of the end extensions 40 a, 40b have flattened faces 44 for interfitting in fixed relationshiprespectively within the ends of hollow walkover shafts 22, 24 having ahollow square cross-sectional configuration.

[0022] A locking element 50 is journaled between end extensions shafts40 a, 40 b for pivotal movement on a shaft 50 a carried on locking block30 a as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. The locking element 50 is generally inthe form of a rectangular plate having opposed cutout areas 52 disposedon opposite vertical sides of the locking element 50 and cut-off uppercorners 54. The lower portion 56 of locking element 50 extends a greaterdistance from the shaft 50 a than upper portion 56 a to create animbalance to respond to deceleration and cause pivoting action of thelocking element 50 about shaft 50 a dependent on the direction of thedeceleration forces. In a normal vertical orientation of the lockingelement 50 in absence of any extraordinary forces, the walkover tubes22, 24 and end extensions 40 a, 40 b are free to rotate to change seatback positions. The end extension shafts 40 a and 40 b are formed withlocking notches 52 a, 52 b in the periphery at two positions on each endextension shaft 40 a, 40 b. The cutout areas 52 a, 52 b are formed bytwo intersecting faces 54 a, 54 b whereby one face 52 a extends parallelto the axis of rotation of end extensions 40 a, 40 b.

[0023] In FIG. 6, the locking effect of the locking elements 50 and thecutout areas 52 a, 52 b can be seen. In the case of rapid deceleration,the walkover tubes 22, 24 are rotated in opposite directions for alimited degree until the surface of a cutoff corner of the lock element54 a engages a portion of the flat face 56 a of the end extension 40 a,40 b at the same time the locking elements 50 contacts a respectivecutout area 52 a, 52 b and the upper corner contacts the notches 52 a,52 b of the opposite shaft. The deceleration detected by the lockingelement 50 is rapid in locking rotation of the walkover shafts 22 and 24to prevent any further movement of the seat back. After the locking hasoccurred between the locking element 50 and walkover tubes 22, 24, theenergy dissipation sections 60 a, 60 b formed by the thinner diameter ofthe end extensions 40 a, 40 b then undergo conditions of plasticdeformation by which permanent twisting of the reduced diameter sectionoccurs to the extent necessary to arrest and dissipate the force of theimpact. The energy dissipation sections 60 a, 60 b can under go up to90° of permanent deformation under which twisting optimum energydissipation of the impact force of the passenger with the seat backoccurs because the time in dissipating the energy is significantlyincreased by the plastic deformation.

[0024] The levers 14,16 are fixedly retained on the lower ends 14 b, 16b to end portions of walkover tube extensions 40 a, 40 b. The pair oflevers 14, 16 are mounted at each shaft end in a common vertical plane.In the normal opposed seating positions of the seat backs, the adjacentedges 14′, 16′ of the levers 16 directly abut each other (FIGS. 2, 3 and5) to support the seat back with a high strength to strength ratio. Suchdirect support eliminates the stops and brackets needed in the prior artand provides good strength in the stressed direction. As seen in FIG. 4,the adjacent edges of the levers are spaced from each other in theintermediate position. As seen in FIGS. 2-5, a pair of linkageassemblies 70 a, 70 b are further provided in operative relationshipbetween the walkover tubes 22 and 24 and the lower seat cushion frame72. The cushion frame 72 includes a horizontal pair of elongated edgecross frame members 74 interconnected by end members 76 (FIGS. 8 and 9).A pair of intermediate supports 78 further extend between the endmembers 76. The pair of linkage assemblies 70 a, 70 b move the seat backframe 20 from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG.5. In is normal opposed seating portions, the upper surface 80 of theend members 74 are slightly sloped downward from the seat front to thewalkover seat back as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. Each of the linkageassemblies 70 a, 70 b are operatively connected to a respective walkovertube 22, 24 by a pair of oppositely facing pivot arms 82 a, 82 b whichare affixed at one end to tube extensions 40 a, 40 b.

[0025] The opposite ends of the pair of pivot arms 82 a,82 b include apin 86, which extends into an elongated slot 88 formed in elements 90 ofeach of the pair of linkage assemblies 70 a, 70 b. The link elements 90are flat members having a modified “L” shape with a pair of straightedge portions 92 and a curved interconnecting portion 94 (FIG. 2). Eachlink element 90 is pivotally connected to the cushion frame end members76 at a point adjacent the intersection of the straight edge portions 92and curved portion 94 of the link elements 90. As the walkover seat backis moved between opposed seating positions, the pin 86 of the leverelement 90 moves in the slots 88 in opposite directions of therespective link members. At the upright position during initial movementof the seat back, the respective pins 92 move to opposite ends of theslots 94. As the seat back continues movement to opposite seatpositions, the link elements 90 continue pivotal movement and alter theposition of the seat cushion frame 72. In the position of seat cushionframe 72 in FIG. 3, the frame member 74 of the seat cushion frame 72directly rests on cross horizontal member 90 a of the main seat frame indirect supporting contact along the width of the seat. One of theintermediate frame member 78 of the cushion frame 72 also directlycontacts a second horizontal member 92 a of the main seat frame. Forbetter support both the cushion frame members 74 and main frame members90 a, 92 b advantageously possess a square configuration. Such directcontact between the cushion frame 72 and main frame cross members 90 a,92 b provides maximum support of the seat cushion frame and seat backwithout latches or locks.

[0026] When walkover seat 2 is moved to the seating position of FIG. 5,the opposite cushion cross frame 74 directly contacts the main seatcross frame 92 a. The second intermediate cross frame 78 rests on theopposite seat main frame 90 a in FIG. 5. At the seat back position ofFIG. 3, the lever arms 82 a, 82 b are disposed along generally parallelplanes with the lever arms 82 a, 82 b directed upward and the free endof the lever arm 82 b is directed downward. In the seat back position ofFIG. 5, the pin end of the pivot arms 82 a is directed downward and thepin end of the pivot arm 82 b is directed upward in generally parallelrelationship. In the intermediate position of FIG. 5, the pin ends oflever arms 82 a, 82 b are generally directed in opposite directionsalong the same horizontal axis.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 10, there is illustrated the bottom of a seatcushion 100 prior to attachment to the seat cushion frame 72. The bottomof seat cushion 100 includes a pan 102 in the form of a metal or plasticthat covers the bottom of the seat cushion 100 for protection. The pan102 includes a pair of rectangular openings 104 and is secured to theseat cushion by mechanical fasteners (not shown). A series of strips 106of hooks or loops of material, such as sold under the trademark VELCROhooks are secured along the front and rear portions of the pan 102.Complimentary strips 108 of loops, which adhere to strips 106, aresecured by an adhesive to cushion frame members 74, whereby the cushion100 is simply installed by being placed on the seat cushion frame 72with strips 106 and 108 in contact. Such a securement capability resultsin immediate self positioning of the cushion on the seat frame andpermits ready removal of the cushion 100 for repair and replacement.

What is claimed is:
 1. A passenger seat comprising A main seat framehaving a plurality of horizontal cross support members, a cushion framebeing mounted on said main seat frame and having a plurality ofhorizontal cushion support members deposed above said main seat frame,and one of said plurality of horizontal cushion support members restingdirectly on one of said plurality of cross support members, and anotherone of said plurality of cushion support members resting on another oneof said plurality of cross member for direct contacting support of saidseat cushion frame by said main frame.
 2. A passenger seat comprising amain seat frame having a plurality spaced of horizontal cross members, aseat cushion frame arranged to be operatively affixed to said main frameand having a seat back frame mounted for movement between a firstposition and second position, said seat cushion frame further having aplurality of spaced horizontal cross frame members, said seat cushionframe being coupled for movement with said seat back frame between saidfirst position and said second position, one of said plurality of crossframe members resting on one of said plurality of cross frame members insaid first position of said seat frame.
 3. The passenger seat accordingto claim 2 wherein another one of said plurality of said cross membersof said seat cushion frame rests directly on another one of saidplurality of cross members of said main seat frame in said firstposition of said seat back frame.
 4. The passenger seat according toclaim 2 wherein said plurality of spaced horizontal cross memberscomprises a pair of spaced horizontal cross members, said plurality ofspaced cross members of said seat cushion frame comprises a pair of endcross members and at least one horizontal intermediate member extendingin parallel relationship between said end cross members, and one of saidpair of end cross members of said seat cushion frame resting on one ofsaid pair of cross member of said main frame and said at least oneintermediate cross member of said seat cushion frame resting on saidsecond of said pair of end cross members in said first position of saidseat cushion frame.
 5. The passenger seat according to claim 4 whereinthe second of said pair of end cross members of said seat cushion framerests on the other of said pair of cross members of said main frame insaid second position of said seat back frame.
 6. The passenger seataccording to claim 5 wherein said at least one intermediate cross memberof said seat cushion frame contacts said one of said pair of end crossmembers of said main seat frame in said second position of said seatback frame.
 7. The passenger seat according to claim 5 wherein said atleast one intermediate cross member of said seat cushion frame contactssaid one of said pair of end cross members of said main seat frame insaid second position of said seat back frame.
 8. A passenger seatcomprising a moveable seat cushion frame having lower frame members,said seat cushion frame being supported on seat frame having uppersupport surfaces, and said lower frame members of said seat cushionframe directly resting on said upper support surfaces.
 9. The passengerseat according to claim 8 where said seat cushion frame includes a seatback frame moveable between first and second seating positions.
 10. Thepassenger seat according to claim 9 wherein said seat cushion frame issupported on a pair of adjacent levers, said levers being pivotallyattached to said seat frame, and said levers abutting each other in eachof said first and second seating positions for supporting said seatcushion frame.
 11. The passenger seat according to claim 8 wherein saidseat cushion frame includes at generally a horizontal pair of said lowerframe members, said pair of lower frame members having lower surfacesfor contacting said upper support surfaces.
 12. The passenger seataccording to claim 10 wherein said upper support are formed by a pair ofspaced cross members of said main seat frame.
 13. The passenger seataccording to claim 12 wherein said seat cushion frame includes a pair ofspaced frame members extending the width of said seat cushion frame anda pair of intermediate frame members extending the width of said seatcushion frame at a position between said pair of spaced frame members,one of said pair of frame members and one of said pair of intermediateframe members respectively resting on said support surfaces of saidspaced cross members of said main seat frame in said first seatingposition.
 14. The passenger seat according to claim 13 wherein saidother of pair of said spaced frame members and the other of pair of saidintermediate frame members respectively rest on said support surface ofsaid pair of cross members in said second seating position.
 15. Apassenger seat comprising a seat frame having a pair of opposite ends, aseat back, a plurality of shafts extending generally between oppositeends of said seat frame, said plurality of shafts terminating with endportions at each of said opposite ends, said plurality of shaftsmounting said seat back for movement to oppositely facing positions ofsaid seat back, energy dissipation means being positioned on each end ofsaid end portions of said plurality of shafts, and said energydissipation means being formed on each of end portions of said pluralityof shafts.
 16. The passenger seat according to claim 15 wherein saidenergy dissipation means includes locking means for arresting movementof said plurality of shafts in response to deceleration forces.
 17. Thepassenger seat according to claim 16 wherein said energy dissipationmeans further includes a narrowed shaft section formed in said endportions of said plurality of shafts, said narrowed portions beingcapable of undergoing plastic deformation in response to decelerationforces to dissipate energy.
 18. The passenger seat according to claims17 wherein said locking means and said narrowed shaft sections of saidplurality of end portions are respectively positioned within a hollowblock.
 19. A passenger seat comprising a seat frame having a pair ofopposite ends, seat cushion frame and seat back being operativelyconnected to said seat frame, at least one rotatably mounted shaftextending between opposite ends of seat frame and being operativelyconnected to said seat back to permit movement of said seat back betweena first seating position and a second seating position in response torotation of said at least one shaft, lever means being connected to saidat least one shaft and said seat cushion frame and being moveable inresponse to said movement of said seat back, and said lever meansincludes a lever arm attached to said at least one shaft at each end anda link element operatively attached between said lever arm and saidcushion frame, said lever arm and said link element undergoing movementin response to rotation of said at least one shaft to move said cushionframe.
 20. The passenger seat according to claim 19 wherein said leverarm includes a pin at one end, said link element having a slot forreceiving said pin, said pin being moveable in slot during rotation ofsaid at least one shaft.
 21. The passenger seat according to claim 19wherein said at least one shaft includes a pair of rotatably mountedshafts, said lever means having a lever arm mounted at each end of saidpair of shafts and a respective link element operative connected to saidlever means and said seat cushion.
 22. The passenger seat according toclaim 21 further including a pair of levers fixedly attachedrespectively to said pair of shafts at each end and being attached tosaid seat back, said pair of levers contacting each other at said firstseating position and said second seating position of said seat back. 23.A passenger seat comprising a seat cushion having a bottom memberforming flat lower surfaces, a cushion frame having a plurality of framemembers forming upper surfaces, said flat lower surfaces and said flatupper surfaces arranged to contact each other, at least a portion ofsaid flat lower surfaces and said flat upper surfaces having respectivehook securement elements and interconnecting loop securement elementsfor removably securing said seat cushion of said cushion frame.
 24. Thepassenger seat according to claim 23 wherein said seat cushion member isa seat pan, said seat pan having a central opening.